“Be as careful of the books you read, as of the company you keep; for your habits and character will be as much influenced by the former as the latter.”

“If a man is known by the company he keeps, so also his character is reflected in the books he reads.”

“I'm talking about those novels where the characters aren't really interesting and you don't care about them or anything they care about. It's those books I won't read anymore. There's too much else to read--books about people and things that matter, books about life and death.”

“Keep good company, read good books, love good things and cultivate soul and body as faithfully as you can.”

“You say often you wish a library; here I gif you one; for between these two lids (he meant covers) is many books in one. Read him well, and he will help you much; for the study of character in this book will help you to read it in the world, and paint it with your pen.”

“There is a wide world out there, full of pain, but filled with joy as well. The former keeps you on the path of growth and the latter makes the journey tolerable.”